A week after a Kissimmee man died after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe, a woman is suing Universal for injuries she sustained while riding the roller coaster.
Sandi Streets filed a negligence lawsuit against Universal City Development Partners Ltd. on Sept. 24 in Orlando, seeking damages exceeding $50,000.
There is currently a statewide investigation into Stardust Racers after Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died after being found unresponsive on the roller coaster. An autopsy found Rodriguez died of “multiple blunt impact injuries,” and the manner of death was an accident, according to the chief medical examiner for Orange and Osceola Counties.
Initial investigations by both Universal and state regulators indicate the ride functioned correctly.
News 6 reported on Sept. 23 that there have been two other health incidents connected with the ride since it opened: a 63-year-old man who experienced dizziness, and a 47-year-old woman who had a “visual disturbance. They note both of those guests rode the roller coaster on separate days and had pre-existing conditions.
The USA TODAY Network has reached out to Universal for a comment on the lawsuit.
Why is Universal Orlando being sued? See incident details
According to the complaint obtained by USA TODAY Network-Florida, Streets was invited to Epic Universe on April 30, weeks before it officially opened to the public on May 22.
While on Stardust Racers, it says Street’s “head shook violently and slammed into the seat’s headrest throughout the ride,” causing permanent injuries. She says the ride failed to secure her head properly.
The complaint also claims that Universal failed to operate the ride in a reasonably safe condition and did not provide sufficient warnings about the ride.
“At all times material hereto, Defendant had a duty to adequately warn the public, including Plaintiff, of unsafe and unreasonably dangerous conditions of which it knew or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known about,” the complaint states.
What is Stardust Racers? Where is Stardust Racers located?
Stardust Racers is a dual-launch racing coaster located in the Celestial Park section of Epic Universe.
How fast does Stardust Racers go? How intense is Stardust Racers?
Stardust Racers reaches speeds of 62 mph, rises to 133 feet in the air, and runs along 5,000 feet of track.
The beginning of the coaster features two powerful launches, with another one toward the end of the ride. The two tracks glide between each other many times throughout the ride, including during the “Celestial Spin.”
What are the physical requirements to ride Stardust Racers?
According to Universal Orlando’s website, guests:
There is also a height requirement, which is a minimum of 48 inches (or 4 feet).
Is the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala suing Universal Orlando?
The family has not, as of Sept. 26, filed a lawsuit. Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Rodriguez Zavala’s family, said on Wednesday during a press conference that his firm is conducting an independent investigation and demanding answers.
Crump said the family said it is seeking complete transparency into Rodriguez’s death and what the theme park is doing to prevent this from happening again. They stressed that Rodriguez’s spinal disability did not cause his death and that just because there was no malfunction on the ride, it doesn’t mean there weren’t any safety issues Universal needed to address.
As for whether they’d pursue litigation, Crump said that it was “up to Universal.”
Is Stardust Racers still operating?
No. The ride was closed after the incident on Sept. 17 and has yet to be reopened. The family of Rodriguez Zavala is requesting that the attraction remain closed while they pursue a thorough investigation into what happened.
“The attraction remains closed as we continue to work through a comprehensive review process in cooperation with the ride manufacturer of record,” President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Orlando Resort Karen Irwin said in her letter to team members last week. “Safety is, and always will be, at the forefront of everything we do.”
Mack Rides, which made the dual-launch coaster, told the USA TODAY Network that it’s actively supporting the investigation and is in close contact with Universal and authorities.
This article was updated to correct an error and add Karen Irwin’s job title.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Universal sued by woman over injuries on Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers. What we know
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
